A female pig is called a sow. A male pig is called a boar. A baby pig is called a piglet. Pigs are also called hogs.
Pigs are considered to be smart and sensitive animals. Their excellent sense of smell has made them valuable in the search for truffles, a wild, edible fungus that grows underground in Europe. Domestic pigs started as wild boars in Europe and Asia. Pigs are known for the noises that they make - grunts and squeals.
Pigs can weigh up to 450 pounds. They have big ears and sensitive, flexible noses. They can be a whole range of colors from pink to black or speckled. They have small, often curling tails. They have hooved feet.
Pigs are omnivores, eating both plant and animal matter. Actually, pigs will eat almost anything that is edible and are often kept on kitchen scraps and other waste foods. They have a simple digestive tract that is more like a human and not the complex, ruminant stomach of the cow.
Pigs are a source of meat (ham, bacon, and sausage), pig skin and are also kept as pets.
